Summary

Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment. Today, it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environmental studies are incorporating more of the social sciences in order to understand human relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. This entry collection features information about design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect.

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Topic Review
Unmanned Aerial Robots’ Applications in Agriculture
The most common role of drones in agriculture is to assess and monitor crops. For this, remote sensing is carried out, but this task is not enough when agricultural applications become more widespread. For this, autonomous mobile robots such as drones and other UAVs with technologically different features are designed for various agricultural purposes.
  • 1.8K
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Wood Ash Based Treatment of Anaerobic Digestate
The anaerobic digestion (AD) was first applied to deal with the sewage sludge (SS) produced during the primary and secondary treatment of wastewater, but its use to deal with agro-waste and the MSW with around 70% of organic material has been subsequently encouraged.
  • 1.2K
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Joint Recovery of Macroalgae and Marine Debris
At the moment, macroalgae blooms in sea waters, the rotting of which causes greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to the formation of a negative ecological and economic situation in coastal zones, which has become a serious problem. Fuel production through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of macroalgae and marine debris is a promising solution to this ecological problem. 
  • 781
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Nanofibers in Agriculture and Water Treatment
Natural fibers are an important source for producing polymers, which are highly applicable in their nanoform and could be used in very broad fields such as filtration for water/wastewater treatment, biomedicine, food packaging, harvesting, and storage of energy due to their high specific surface area. These natural nanofibers could be mainly produced through plants, animals, and minerals, as well as produced from agricultural wastes. For strengthening these natural fibers, they may reinforce with some substances such as nanomaterials. Natural or biofiber-reinforced bio-composites and nano–bio-composites are considered better than conventional composites. The sustainable application of nanofibers in agricultural sectors is a promising approach and may involve plant protection and its growth through encapsulating many bio-active molecules or agrochemicals (i.e., pesticides, phytohormones, and fertilizers) for smart delivery at the targeted sites. The food industry and processing also are very important applicable fields of nanofibers, particularly food packaging, which may include using nanofibers for active–intelligent food packaging, and food freshness indicators. The removal of pollutants from soil, water, and air is an urgent field for nanofibers due to their high efficiency. Many new approaches or applicable agro-fields for nanofibers are expected in the future, such as using nanofibers as the indicators for CO and NH3. The role of nanofibers in the global fighting against COVID-19 may represent a crucial solution, particularly in producing face masks.
  • 1.8K
  • 30 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Major Applications of Smart Agriculture
With the rise of new technologies, such as the Internet of Things, raising the productivity of agricultural and farming activities is critical to improving yields and cost-effectiveness. IoT, in particular, can improve the efficiency of agriculture and farming processes by eliminating human intervention through automation. The fast rise of Internet of Things (IoT)-based tools has changed nearly all life sectors, including business, agriculture, surveillance, etc. These radical developments are upending traditional agricultural practices and presenting new options in the face of various obstacles.
  • 6.5K
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Soil Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing, securing, and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon is sequestered in soil by plants through photosynthesis and can be stored as soil organic carbon (SOC). The amount of SOC accumulated in RMS was mostly influenced by the restoration age, vegetation type, and substrate or type of reclamation used.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Applications of BNF and NWR Strategies in Insects
Nitrogen is usually a restrictive nutrient that affects the growth and development of insects, especially of those living in low nitrogen nutrient niches. In response to the low nitrogen stress, insects have gradually developed symbiont-based stress response strategies—biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogenous waste recycling—to optimize dietary nitrogen intake. Based on the above two patterns, atmospheric nitrogen or nitrogenous waste (e.g., uric acid, urea) is converted into ammonia, which in turn is incorporated into the organism via the glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase pathways.
  • 965
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Heatwaves on Human Morbidity in Primary Care Settings
Heatwaves are expected to be more intense, occur more often, and last longer. There is a need to study the effects of heatwaves in primary care settings. Heatwaves are associated with increased heat-related morbidities and decreased respiratory infection risk. The study of heatwaves’ effects in primary care settings helps evaluate the impact of heatwaves on the general population. Primary care settings might be not suitable to study acute life-threatening morbidities. 
  • 779
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Units
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in Healthcare Units is a complex and dynamic issue of utmost importance for patient safety and occupational health purposes, since healthcare providers, medical practitioners, staff and patients spend long hours in the facilities subject to their inherent air quality. IAQ is affected by outdoor air quality, indoor activities, indoor occupant density, ventilation practices, indoor intrinsic emissions (e.g., equipment/furniture/coatings). The presence of vulnerable individuals and the characteristics of the ongoing activities highlight the importance of adequately managing IAQ in healthcare facilities. Headaches, fatigue, dryness and irritation of the eyes and skin are common complaints of healthcare professionals, which have often been associated with poor IAQ. In addition, hospitals operate on a full-time basis (24 h per day, seven days a week), with no idle time to recover from activities’ emissions and consequent impact on IAQ.
  • 3.6K
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Snow-Disaster Risk Zoning and Assessment in Heilongjiang Province
Heilongjiang Province is located in Northeast China and has the highest latitude in China. It has a long and cold winter and a mild monsoon climate. The unique geographical location and climatic conditions make it the second largest stable snow area in China. The winter snowfall period begins in October and ends in April of the next year. Therefore, long-term snow has caused road obstruction and low-temperature freezing damage, which has seriously affected local economic development and personal safety.
  • 808
  • 19 Jan 2022
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